Intravenous immunoglobulin in the treatment of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis: a meta-analysis with meta-regression of observational studies.

BACKGROUND: Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are severe disorders with significant morbidity and mortality. The therapeutic use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is based on limited data.

OBJECTIVES: This systematic review evaluates the existing literature to determine if IVIG impacts the standardized mortality rate (SMR) in patients with SJS or TEN.

METHODS: The MEDLINE database was searched for the period 1966-2011 for pertinent studies. The bibliographies of selected references were also reviewed for additional studies. Inclusion criteria required the studies to refer to patients who received IVIG for SJS or TEN, the severity of which was determined using the SCORTEN system. Thirteen studies were used in the final analysis. Demographic data, IVIG dosing, SCORTEN score, and mortality rates were extracted.

RESULTS: Of the 13 studies, eight included a control group. Meta-analysis revealed that differences in SMRs were not significant (-0.322, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.766 to 0.122; P = 0.155). The overall SMR point estimate for all 13 studies was 0.814 (95% CI 0.617-1.076). Meta-regression demonstrated a strong inverse correlation between IVIG dosage and SMRs (slope: -0.59, 95% CI -0.14 to -1.03; P = 0.009).

CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous IG at dosages of ≥2 g/kg appears to significantly decrease mortality in patients with SJS or TEN.